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Language Skills

R
Python
SQL
Javascript (d3.js)
keras
PyStan/RStan
C++

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Sebastian Perez Saaibi

I’ve built and led Data Science and Machine Learning teams for the past 8 years, and have over a decade of experience using Data Science and Applied Machine Learning to solve real-world business problems in industries such as Commerce, Healthcare, and Finance. I’ve had the opportunity to be an individual contributor, startup founder and technical manager throughout this journey.

I’m interested in building teams of Data Scientists, Machine Learning Engineers and Data Engineers to come up with products that solve complex organizational challenges, as well as mentoring data scientists and technical managers.

I like good coffee, spending time with my family, running, and reading.

Current Position

Sr. Manager Data Science and Engineering

Shopify

Ottawa, Canada

Current - 2020

  • Lead the Data Science and Engineering teams in charge of Insights. We build tools, models and data products that enable data-informed decisions for merchants. Our goal is to use Data Science and Machine Learning to make commerce better for everyone, everywhere.

Education

MSc. Computational Science and Engineering (GPA: 5.1/6.0)

ETH Zürich

Zürich, Switzerland

2010 - 2008

  • Master’s Thesis: Dynamic Risk Diversification in Portfolio Optimization. Advisor: PD. Dr. Diethelm Würtz
  • Semester Thesis: Success & Failure in Open Source Software Distributions. Advisor: Prof. Dr. Didier Sornette

BSc. Physics; BSc. Mechanical Engineering (GPA: 4.4/5.0)

Universidad de los Andes

Bogotá, Colombia

2008 - 2003

  • Physics Thesis: Random Matrix Theory Application to Portfolio Optimization on the IGBC. Advisor: Prof. Dr. Gabriel Tellez Acosta.
  • Mechanical Engineering Thesis: Microscopic Modeling of two-particle Sintering. Advisor: Prof. Dr. Jairo A. Escobar.

High School Diploma, Honors

La Quinta del Puente Highscool

Bucaramanga, Colombia

2002 - 1992

  • Original Degree: Bachiller Académico con énfasis en Ciencias & Multimedia





Industry Experience

I’m a Data Scientist and technologist focused on building global data products using Data Science and Machine Learning. I brew data.

Director of Data Science

Phreesia

New York City, NY

2020 - 2018

  • Build Phreesia’s Data Science and Machine Learning team, inside the Life Sciences organization. Create and lead the strategy and vision.
  • Attract, hire, mentor and grow a team of Machine Learning Engineers, Data Scientists and Data Engineers (10+). Provide thought leadership to internal and external business executives. Hands-on data product building, algorithmic selection, model validation and evaluation of Phreesia’s ML production services.
  • Set an open, collaborative, educational, hands-on team culture that works cross-functionally with other business units. Build and promote the data science competencies and growth framework

Head of Machine Learning and Data Science

Pager

New York City, NY

2018 - 2015

  • Lead Pager’s ML strategy and vision by building and managing a team of Data Scientists and Engineers, guiding patients to better care one model at a time. Hands-on implementations, algorithmic selection, model validation, training, testing and statistical validity of data products.
  • Predictive Analytics and Reporting: Build end-to-end ETL systems for data extraction, wrangling, processing and modeling. Designed Pager’s OKRs and automated Internal and External Reports (interactive dashboards, board presentations)
  • Machine Learning: Productionize ML-based APIs for Pager’s care navigation platform.

CEO and Co-Founder, Chief Data Scientist

Aentropico

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

2014 - 2012

  • Aentropico is Latin America’s first Predictive Analytics startup. We built a self-service dashboard that helped small and medium retailers transform their data into useful and practical insights to facilitate decision making.

Quantitative Analyst: Trading Strategies R&D

Macx Red AG

Zug, Switzerland

2011 - 2010

  • Founding member of Macxred’s research team for Quantitative, High-Frequency Trading Systems.
  • Design, testing and implementation of portfolio-based risk mitigation schemes. Promote the design of an automated strategy selection mechanism.
  • Implement robust asset allocation and Regime-based Trend Following strategies.

Maintenance Engineer

BHP Billiton - Spence

Antofagasta, Chile

2008

  • Mine Maintenance. BHP Billiton’s Graduate Program. Statistical Analyses to reduce the time between component failure (MTBF). Close monitoring of the electro-mechanical condition of the entire Caterpillar heavy-duty fleet.

Research Experience

E.J. Safra Network Fellow

Harvard University

Cambridge, MA

2015 - 2012

  • Winner of the “System to Monitor Institutional Corruption” Innocentive Challenge. Built a Complex network model to monitor corruption in Colombia’s largest corporations. Identified revolving doors between corporations and government officials. Contributed to data science events such as the “iCorruption Hackathon 2015”.

Visiting Research Assistant

University of Maryland

College Park, MD

2006

  • Laboratory for Microtechnologies. Project Director: Prof. Dr. Elisabeth Smela. Research Project: Cost reduction and characterization of Compliant Electrodes.

Teaching Experience

Assistant Professor

Universidad de los Andes

Bogotá, Colombia

2015

  • Wrote syllabus and taught ‘Computational Tools’. Basic introduction to computational tools for physicists, mathematicians and geoscientists. See repo
  • Wrote syllabus and taught ‘Computational Methods’: Intro to the most common and useful Computational Methods for physicists, mathematicians and geoscientists. See repo

Teaching and Grading Assistant

Universidad de los Andes

Bogotá, Colombia

2007 - 2004

  • Grading Assistant: Classical Mechanics, Modern Physics and Electromagnetism.
  • Teaching Assistant: Heat Transfer, Classical, Thermal & Fluid Dynamics.
  • Research Assistant: Material Characterization and Fracture Mechanics.

Selected Data Science Writing

Selected Publications, Posters, and Talks

What’s a Data Scientist? A look inside its toolbox

Science Hack Day

Bogotá, Colombia

2015

R Generator Tool for Google Motion Charts

Uniandes Physics Colloquim

Bogotá, Colombia

2010

Diving into Econophysics using R

Rmetrics Summer School in Computational Finance

Basel, Switzerland

2010